A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen.

Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    67/554 (page 55)
    Salicylic acid is antiseptic and a parasiticide. It possesses a peculiar property in softening epidermis. It is also mentioned as having astrin- gent properties, but probably on insufficient grounds. General Surgery.—Salicylic acid has long been known, but only of late years has it come into general use in surgery as a topical application. Kolbe found that a 0.04 per cent, solution had considerable influence in preventing milk from souring. Bucholz states that a 0.15 per cent, solution is sufficient to prevent the development of bacteria in ordinary organic mixtures; 0.3 to 0.4 per cent, destroys bacteria in vigorous growths. (Wood, p. 620.) The salicylate of sodium is about equal in efficiency to the pure acid. Dr. Miller found that one per cent, of salicylic acid was sufficient to check the action of ptyaline on starch; while ten per cent, of carbolic acid was required to produce the same effect. There appears to be little doubt that salicylic acid is largely used as a preservative of fresh meat during the heated seasons, especially the so-called western meat. Mr. Callander, after a year's trial of salicylic acid in the wards of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, abandoned it, as much inferior to carbolic acid. The following solutions were used at St. Bartholomew's Hospital: Phos- phate of sodium, 3 parts; Salicylic acid, i part; Water, 50 parts. Salicylic acid, i part; Olive oil, 49 parts. Salicylic acid, i part; Bicar- bonate of sodium, ^ part; Water, 100 parts. Salicylic acid, 10 parts; Borax, 18 parts; Water, 100 parts. A 25 per cent, solution which will bear dilution with water may be prepared. R. Acidi salicylic, 3ij; Sodii biborat., 3]; Glycerini, q. s. Mix the acid and borax, then add glycerin to one fluidounce with four drachms of glycerin, and heat gently until dissolved. (Wood, Ed. 8, p. 639.) An ointment of salicylic acid, in the strength of one-half to one drachm in one ounce of cosmoline may be employed with most satis- factory results in the treatment of Erysipelas. ' The ointment is applied, spread on lint, and the part is enveloped in raw cotton. Watson Cheyne employs a cream composed of salicylic acid, 2 parts; carbolic acid, I part : glycerin, 10 parts, to be smeared over superficial Wounds and Abrasions. In the treatment of Chancroid, salicylic acid has been extensively employed. Angloda speaks of it in the highest terms. After the ulcer is thoroughly cleansed with an antiseptic solution, the powdered acid should be thoroughly dusted over its surface. H. Von Hebra (^Annals de Derm, et de Syph., May, 1890) does not regard the use of salicylic acid for the treatment of Chancroids so favorably, stating that the acid produced too much irritation when dusted over their surfaces, and when used in ointment the healing is slow, and it is no better than iodoform, the formation of bubo being just as frequent. Dr. Cheron recommends the following as a very efficient injection in